LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Louisville coach Rick Pitino is heading to New Orleans to watch the Cardinals' women's team play Connecticut in Tuesday night's NCAA championship — but without his players.

Under NCAA rules, neither the school nor Pitino could pay for the players to get to New Orleans or attend the game. The NCAA says it granted a waiver to Louisville early Tuesday that would have allowed the school to pay for the trip, but the school says it had already made plans to go home.

Pitino, his staff and several administrators were expected to attend the women's final. The players were expected back on campus by 2:15 p.m. EDT.

After Louisville beat Michigan 82-76 Monday night in Atlanta, players and Pitino hinted at going straight to New Orleans to support the surprising women's team against the Huskies in the final. The men and their coach have frequently attended women's games this season and both programs have said they feed off each other's success.